Chapter 23 — Fitting In
The most basic form of Slash was roughly on par with the Flame Technique in terms of difficulty.
This time, however, Ren had one major advantage—Kawasume was constantly at his side, demonstrating the technique in real time. With a living reference to observe, analyze, and replicate, it took him only a day and a half to grasp it.
Of course, "grasp" was a relative term.
Just like with the Flame Technique, what he achieved was only an initial mastery—crossing the threshold that allowed him to produce an invisible slash. As for its true power? That, like the intensity of his flames, would require continued refinement. Only through repeated practice and deeper insight into the essence of the technique would its real potential emerge.
Life gradually returned to normal.
Classes. Technique study. Missions.
After the first two assignments, Ren had grown accustomed to curses. The fear was gone, replaced by familiarity—and more importantly, capability. His strength was now more than enough to handle what came his way.
Spring break passed in the blink of an eye—two short weeks marking the end of the third term. Ren advanced into his second year, and life continued at a steady, orderly pace.
Only now, he was no longer a clueless novice.
He had become—if not seasoned—at least experienced.
During this period, he didn't just operate with his classmates—Miwa Kasumi, Zen'in Mai, and Mechamaru—but also spent an increasing amount of time with Momo Nishimiya. They went on missions together, hunted tsukumogami-type curses together, and—most importantly—"studied techniques" together.
In Ren's view, he and Momo were practically a perfect match.
He captured the curses.
She subdued them.
The resulting shikigami became living blueprints for his study.
The more tsukumogami they captured, the more innate techniques he could observe—and potentially replicate.
Momo, for her part, thoroughly enjoyed the arrangement. She frequently submitted special requests to the operations department, asking to be assigned joint missions with Ren.
"Where are your classmates?" Ren had asked once during a mission.
From what he'd heard through Mai and the others, the upper years weren't lacking in strong sorcerers. If it was purely a matter of strength, teaming up with them shouldn't have been any worse than teaming up with him.
Momo, perched atop her broom, pouted and let out a long sigh.
"Don't even start."
"One's a boring muscle-brained gorilla. Not even half as cute as little Ren."
"And the other?" She rolled her eyes dramatically. "Even more boring. Arrogant, self-important, always walking around with his chin in the air like the sky belongs to him. Talks down to people like he's handing out royal decrees."
She clicked her tongue.
"At least you're fun."
The girl's tone overflowed with barely restrained complaints.
"Honestly, it's way more comfortable hanging out with a cute junior!"
Ren watched her troubled expression and chuckled inwardly. He glanced at the small golden head that barely reached his chest and thought to himself—if someone talked to her while tilting their chin up even slightly, they really would end up "looking down on her."
He wisely kept that observation to himself. One careless remark and their friendship would probably shatter on the spot. He might even get reclassified as one of the "xx-type guys" she loved to complain about.
As time passed, he found himself spending even more time with Momo than with his own classmates. The school curriculum had quickly become something he could breeze through—but staying with Momo meant not only going on missions, but also learning new techniques.
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That evening, after class, Ren was bent over a desk in the back row of the classroom, rapidly filling out a form.
Swish—
A hand suddenly snatched the paper right out from under him.
Zen'in Mai stood before him, one hand gripping the form, the other folded across her chest as she scanned it.
"Hey. Don't you think this is a bit much?"
She shot him a sideways look, brow slightly raised.
"What's this? 'Special Mobile…'"
"Special Mobile Operations Unit."
It had been Momo's idea. Normally, Kyoto Jujutsu High paired up students within the same year for missions, since their strength levels were comparable and easier to assign appropriately ranked tasks. For Momo and Ren to team up, special approval had to be requested every time—which was a hassle.
So Momo proposed forming a "Special Mobile Unit." With her flight ability enabling rapid deployment, they could respond quickly to curse incidents across the region. Ren would serve as the unit's combat reinforcement. That way, they could operate together freely, without constant paperwork.
Mai clenched the form tightly, crumpling it in her grip.
"You're being kind of antisocial, you know."
"You're spending way too much time tangled up with Nishimiya-senpai. We're your classmates!"
Ren blinked.
What is this… feeling left out? Jealous? he mused inwardly, half amused.
"Hey," Mai stepped closer, brows knitting sharply, "don't tell me you've fallen for Nishimiya-senpai, you shameless flirt?"
"What? Of course not!" Ren protested at once—though his lips betrayed him with the faintest stumble.
"Oh? Really?" Mai dragged out her tone, noticing the sudden flush on his face, a sly grin curling at the corner of her mouth.
"I'm not some lecherous pervert!" Ren declared indignantly.
"Really? Then why are you always staring at her feet?"
Ren opened his mouth to respond, but Mai cut him off immediately.
"I've been watching you for a while now. Admit it, you creep."
"Every now and then, you're sneaking glances at Nishimiya-senpai's bare feet. Don't tell me those cute little naked toes are fueling your filthy foot fetish fantasies?"
"W-What are you even saying?!" Ren's face flushed bright red.
It was true that Momo had a habit of going barefoot. Since she spent most of her time flying, her feet rarely touched the ground—there was hardly any need for shoes. And besides, she believed it added to her "witch" aesthetic. She had a particular obsession with witches from animation—high broom bun hairstyle, riding a broom, wearing a dress, even bare feet—all to better fit the image.
Ren would admit it—those small, delicate, porcelain-like feet, often shifting lightly in midair, were undeniably… visually appealing. He might occasionally glance at them.
But it wasn't like Mai was making it out to be! It was pure aesthetic appreciation!
"I'm not that narrow-minded," he retorted firmly. "It's not a fetish."
"I just happen to appreciate beauty in all its forms—with an open mind!"
Mai froze for a brief second. Clearly, that answer had not been what she expected.
Then her lips curved again. Her gaze gleamed mischievously as she leaned in closer.
"Appreciate beauty, huh?"
"So that means… you can appreciate this kind of 'beauty' too?"
Her slender waist bent slightly forward. She leaned toward him—and her full chest pressed forward provocatively.